Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Sax-drums duos are among my favourites and regular readers of the blog are well aware of that. Peter Brotzmann at 70 years old blew me away last autumn with his Japan Trio concert and now he does it again with this cd.

Anyone interested in the slighthest in free jazz and improvised music knows well how Brotzmann plays - he's a heavywegiht champion, he can sound like a tank moving at the light speed, almost bending the space around him. His sound is physical and sometimes even brutal. When he blows hard it's like a heavyweight championship box fight. And while it's hard to dismiss the omnipresent vibrato distorion of his saxophone cries it's easy to overlook the fact that Peter is quite a lyrical soul at times, his playing full of details, pensieve and moody, especially on tarogato.

My admiration for Waclaw Zimpel's way of playing is no secret and there are lot of posts here on the blog that exemplify this on the blog. Which is why I'll be as brief as possibly - the duo concert with Wolfgang Reisinger brought to Klub Re music that was soulfull and immaginative. Wolfgang proved to be an excellent partner, continuator of european tradition, strongly focused on the melody of drums, adding to that some nice electronic touches. While Zimpel played passionately and with conviction, whether investigating delicate chamber moods or launching some fiery explosions.

The playing was focused but the atmosphere relaxed, the last concert of the small tour, musicians comfortable with each other. Short, yet satisfying set that plus the encore which show even more clearly how Waclaw and Wolfgang enjoyed the stage - a romping and stomping blues by Charles Mingus (can't get the title though), a piece they enjoyed so much they decided to play it twice. And the audience, me included, couldn't be more pleased.

Monday, February 27, 2012

As said last week, no live program today because I'm at Waclaw Zimpel's concert in Klub Re. And I know that we already celebrated Nina Simone's birthday last week but it's no reason to not do it again - and we will do exactly so with archive program that aired originally last year on 21.02 (you can see the original playlist post). Lot of Nina Simone but also birthdays of Trevor Watts, David "Fathead" Newman, Herb Robertson and some material from then reviewed cd by John Wolf Brennan's Triangulation band. Hope you'll like it.

You can tune in to www.radiofrycz.pl at 8pm CET or go directly below to the mixcloud player which will appear around the same time or even bit earlier.

Such a meeting couldn't prove nothing short of utterly exciting. Even as I had high hopes the band still amazed with the its power, syncronicity, adventurous mindset, intensity level. They played one long set filled with true musical fire. Breaking storm, tornado, magmatic amalgam of sound and space. Fury of immagination. There were moments of patient silences, resounding gongs, and whispers, but most of the time this was a blow out, intense and fiery. Fire music. Fantastic.

Couple of years back I have seen Mikolaj with Mark and Peter Fris Nielsen, after the last year concert with Olie Brice I remember Rafal Mazur (in the audience) saying he would want to play with such drummer. And he got his wish granted, my wish is that the three get to meet and play again.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

There's something incredible happening around in the polish jazz scene. Young musicians with incredible skills sets, fantastic education, open mindset and no complexes. I have just written briefly about jam session at Literki and here's another clear chance to write about new polish jazz. I stumbled first on Piotr Orzechowski's name on Maciej Nowotny's polish-jazz blog. High Definition is a quartet led by Piotr and they play jazz that is clearly inspired by the classic sound of the 60', 70' yet is unmistakenably modern - I think especially about hi-hat/rimshots drums'n'bass patterns played by Patryk Dobosz. They opened the night with Ana Maria by Wayne Shorter, there are strong echoes of Keith Jarret's american quartet in Orzechowski's playing and compositions - some blues, gospel echoes as well. Great rhythm section, fantastic composition's structure (no easy task to keep the audience's attention for 20 minutes pieces of music no matter what genre you play), fiery solos - it was all there. High Definition is clearly going to be at the top of polish jazz scene and they deserve as well international attention (the band won I prize in Jazz Hoeilaart last year, Orzechowski won the Grand Prix at Montreux as well). Let me keep the text short - the videos below should make up for the lack more description. Absolutely great concert from the band that only started what I hope will be a long and succesfull journey.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Yesterday I finally got to see the Jam Session in Literki. You can find already on the blog a few words of appraisal about Marek Pospieszalski and possibly also Slawek Pezda, however most of the players were completely anonymous for me, which didn't stop them from delivering some absolutely great music. Powerfull improvisations, modern and free, bouncing back and forth influences of free jazz (both american and european tradition), mainstream (a Monk piece played), rock, funk, drum'n'bass, progressive rock (great hammond-like piano riffs). With thre sax players, one viola, piano (two players), bass and drums set (two players) the band created long improvisations featuring some great interplay and smoking solos. All the time bursting with youthfull energy and immagination. I left at the midnight after two hours of great music, while the band was resting before the third set. Make sure to be there next time - it was great stuff.

you can find a piece from one of the previous meetings if you click the link.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Over the last week I presented my votes for El Intruso Internationa Poll 2011. Which makes for great occasion to get back to some of the recordings I talked about.

Plus a couple of birthday mentions (Nina Simone!). Tune in tomorrow (Monday) to www.radiofrycz.pl at 8pm CET and join me on the facebook chat. Or, if you're late, tune in to the mixcloud player that will be uploaded soon after the program.

While the sextet is led by Laura Cole, responsible also for most of the compositions and all arrangements, Metamorphic - "The Rock Beetwen" wouldn't be equally captivating listening experience without Kerry Andrew's voice of an angel.Basia Derlak writes lyrics and sings with one of the most original polish young bands I have heard last year. I have presented their EP in the radio, written about a couple of concerts and I can't wait for debut cd, hopefully this year.

Hera released their 2nd cd "Where My Complete Beloved Is" which correspondes quite well at what the bands does on stage - trance inducing meditation, potent grooves that get to your body and melodies that fill your mind. Thus they played also in Lubin at the festvial, they introduced new elements later in the year with series of concerts with Michael Zerang. Check the interive with Waclaw Zimpel for more.Jewish Surf is a perrfect live band, rock, punk, jazz, great riffs, dynamic a true rock pleasure. I have seen them twice last year and I can't wait for the cd.AutorYno played in Krakow and it was to put it simply smoking guitar rock gig, fabulous energy and jaw dropping guitar shredding. David Konopnicki on guitar rocks!

23.Record Label

Leo Records

NoBusiness Records

LEO records wins for the incredible amount of releases and the consistency. Label that I appreciate most for introducing me to some completely new names (Alexey Kruglov, Fourth Page, Second Approach Trio, Giovanni Francesca) among other releases featuring some free jazz heavyweigts (Ivo Perelman, Joelle Leandre, Jon Corbett). You can check all the reviews from the label here.NoBusiness continues its level of excellency, not as many but well chosen releases, LP fetish, some fabulous music. Kudos and many thanks to them. Check all NoBusiness on the blog here.Kudos and thanks to all the labels that appeared on the blog in the last year. You're making some incredible music available to music fans.

Ivo Perelman's playing is something absolutely unique. His quartet's recording ""The Hour of the Star" confirms his position as one of the best sax players around.

13.Trumpet/Cornet

Andrzej Przybielski

Dennis Gonzalez

Taylor Ho Bynum

I already put Andrzej Przybielski as one of the most important artists of the last year and it's even more obvious if we think about trumpet players. 2011 saw not only Andrzej's death but also an entire set post mortem releases featuring absolutely great music.

Dennis Gonzalez convinced me with his playing "The Hymn Project" - lyrical, captivating and adventerous.

Taylor Ho Bynum solos on the stage with The Edge quartet put some fabulous solos - possibly the best trumpet performance I have seen on stage last year (and one of only few)

Perry Robinson appears on aforementioned Undivided cd but he also appeared in Poznan during the Tzadik Festival, both with Undivided, with a new special quartet project, plus kicking some ass during the jam sessions.

15.Trombone

Samuel Blaser

Henrik Munkeby Norstebo

Jeb Bishop

Samuel Blaser charmed with a solo concert in Krakow, delighted with his quartet cd "Consort in Motion" dedicated to baroque music and finally confirmed his position with a "Boundless" released on Hat Hut (to be reviewed soon).

Possibly the most difficult category and I went with Joelle Leandres release on Leo Records which is not only stunning but also a double cd so I get to put two completely different groups (Tentet and a Trio) on the first place.

"Cut a Caper" by Ig Henneman is an album brilliantly composed, performed by a stellar ensemble and executed with staggering passion. Adventorous, captivating, demanding and rewarding.

As there were so many great albums released in 2011 I couldn not reach any decision on the third spot and decided to leave it blank.

6. Composer

- Veryan Weston

- Achim Kauffman

- Ig Henneman

It's a rare case that an improvising musician creates a compositions to be performed by another musician. Veryan's "Different Tesselations" is an incredible vehicle for Leo Svirsky in his virtuosic performance as well as for the unique and surprising chants by Vociferous Choir.

"Verivyr" by Achim Kauffman trio presents some of the most intelligent jazz writing. Tricky, filled with surprising twists and contrasts. Example of how a good composition should be much more than just a mere pretext to introduce the improvisation.

As for Ig Henneman see above the nomination of her sextet's album "Cut a Caper". Brilliant, post-modern compositions, collourfull and attentive arrangements, a masterpiece.

Possibly one of the richest categories around as there's so many fantastic drummers around but I decided to give the third spot to Gerald Cleaver for the consummate passion of his playing on "The Hour of the Star" by Ivo Perelman's Quartet.

Lisa Mezzacappa's playing and vision is on full display on "Cosmic Rite". Fabulous playing that underlines perfectly the ensemble.

Eric Revis's could be heard both on stage as on record with the Avram Fefer trio (with Chad Taylor filling the drummer's spot). A master in full control of the instrument, fabulous performances. Here's more about the "Eliyahu" cd, while here's more about the concert.

Veryan Weston not only charmed his way with his ubiqous "Different Tesselations" as a composer but even more so as a piano improviser with fantastic duo album "5 More Dialogues" with Trevor Watts. The fact that I missed (due to the illness) their concert in Krakow is one of my biggest regrets of the 2011. Truly original, and incredibly immaginative musician.
Achim Kauffman for his trio cd "Verivyr" deserves appraisal both as a piano player and a composer. It's been long since a piano trio album took me by surprise the way "Verivyr" did.
Marcin Masecki's piano playing is something special, completely unique and peculiar, mathemathical, sometimes catchy, sometimes sketchy, in search for weird, funny patterns and figures, in complete opposition to the most common post-romantic approach to the instrument. I've written about his Profesjonalizm band and "Chopin, Chopin, Chopin" cd.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

For the second time I was honoured an invite to participate in El Intruso 4th Annual Critics Poll 2011 where bloggers from around the globe proposed their selection of best of the last year. I waited before posting here my votes until the general results would be presented on El Intruso. You can consult the Poll here. More than 20 categories and only 3 possible choices for each (gave me quite a headache) - my choices (and short comments) will appear on the blog in the next few days cut into few separate posts.

Obviously it's all fun, all subjective, all interchangeable in many ways - art is not a race, any kind of comparison is hardly possible in most cases and most of all in the end it's not a list of "the best of 2011" but rather "my favourite cds or musicians in 2011 based on the concerts I got to see and cds I got to listen to in 2011" - which leaves leaves an entire universe of musicians, concerts and cds I didn't get to see for one reason or another.

Andrzej Przybielski passed away at 9th february this year. My nomination is not merely a tribute - it is ironic enough that a musician that released only one cd as a leader in his liftetime has now three post-mortem cds ("De Profundis" with Oles Brothers, "Sesja Open" and "Tren Żałobny" - which I should write soon about). A parting gift? If so, a welcomed and appreciated one.

2. Newcomer Musician

- Alexey Kruglov

- Brian Settles

- Rafal Mazur

Alexey Kruglow may be known well for followers of the russian improv scene but most of us got to know him through the recent Leo Records releases - between march 2010 and august 2011 he released four albums for this label and they're all easily recommended. You can find on the blog the reviews of the monumental "Identification" and "Karate" with Jaak Sooaar Trio. Strong and fresh.

I don't know really too much about Brian Settles beside the music on his debut cd "Secret Handshake" which speaks clear and loud for his talent.

Rafal Mazur is hardly a "newcomer" to any Krakow-based improvised music fan - he's been long a mastermind behind the growing community of improvising musicians. What I hope for is that he reached at leas some international exposure which he deserves and concerts like the one with Liudas Mockunas and Raymond Strind (recorded and hopefully to be released) could help that. Which was just one of many fantastic performances I could attend this year (especially duos with Mikolaj Trzaska and Keir Neuringer desereves to be mentioned). I might add another honor mention to this category - Ilia Belorukov - his inspiringly creative approach to the instrument is something to behold. He played in Krakow with Rafal Mazur and Mieczyslow Gorka.

3. Band of the year

- Resonance Ensemble

- Mikolaj Trzaska IRCHA Clarinet Quartet

- Splatter

Ken Vandermark's Resonance Project gathers together some of the best in the free jazz world, much more than an "all-star" group this band is guided by Ken Vandermark's vision and driven by musicians' passion, chemistry. I heard only stories about the mini festival in USA, I can't wait to see them live this march (and get the new cd) and their last one "Kafka in Flight" started the 2011 with a blast.

Mikolaj Trzaska and Waclaw Zimpel play also together in IRCHA Clarinet Quartet, a 4-voiced clarinet choir, that charms on stage (as on this occasion) on cd "Lark Uprising" with Joe McPhee. In their music the spirit of Coltrane, jewish melodies and modern chamber harmonies meet together. I'm quite ashamed I haven't had chance yet to listen to their second cd (released in december).

I nominated Splatter because of their cd "Scraffiti" which contains some of the most ensemble-conscious democratic improvisations I heard. A true beauty.

4. Newcomber Band

Ha Tichona Trio (Trzaska / Brice / Sanders)

Rafal Mazur / Liudas Mockunas / Raymond Strid

Vojtech Prochazka Trio

This category is based entirely on live permormances I have seen last year. Three unbelievably good concerts and I can only hope to hear much more from those trios (incidentally another common indicator). Ha Tichona Trio is supposed to have an lp released by No Business (more in the interview with Mikolaj Trzaska), the concert by Rafal, Liudas and Raymond was registered with plans to press a cd. And I know that Vojtech Prochazka with his trio was planning to record another session and I hope they got to do it (their debut cd is more of a modern mainstream thing, quite good but definitely didn't live up to the promise they delievered on stage).

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Tomorrow's Monday! So, tune in at 8 pm CET to www.radiofrycz.pl - we'll remember the birthdays of Henry Threadgill - one of the co-founders of AACM and possibly the greatest composers of avantguarde scene, and of Nicole Mitchell - who in a way continues Threadgill's work both in AACM and in the subject of big ensemble jazz. Plus we'll cover another couple of cds reviewed during the summer time that havent't got yet their chance to be presented in the playlist.